The Browns added a lot to their defense when they signed security John Johnson last week and it seems that they faced acute competition for its services.
Johnson turned down “much more money” from another team to sign with the Browns, his agents Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said. Clearly, he was very excited about the prospect of playing for this Browns team, which starts from the best season of decades. It’s a sign of how much times have changed when players now take less money to sign with the Browns as a free agency destination.
Imagine if someone told you that a few years ago. Johnson signed a three-year, $ 33.75MM contract with Browns, which included a guaranteed $ 24MM, and was undoubtedly the top safety on the market after the guys like Justin Simmons, Marcus Maye, and Marcus Williams all received the franchise labeled by their respective teams.
Johnson’s $ 11.25 AAV is considered to be the eighth highest paid safety in the NFL today. Shortly before signing with Cleveland, I heard that the Lions, Eagles and Jaguars were following him, so it is possible that one of those teams will offer him a bigger contract.
Rams chose not to label him for financial reasons, but Johnson has been a very good player since joining the league as a voter in the third round in 2017. He played every touch for a Los Angeles defense that was the best in the league last season, and will not turn 26 until December. Johnson will start next to the 2020 second round election Grant Delpit or Ronnie Harrison in 2021.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.